Lettsworth man arrested for allegedly killing a Louisiana black bear

Animal was found shot to death on Richard K. Yancey WMA in November

Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries arrested a 28-year-old Lettsworth man on Jan. 8 for allegedly shooting and killing a Louisiana black bear last fall in Concordia Parish.

Ronald J. Kimble was cited for taking a Louisiana black bear during a closed season and being a being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to a press release.

On Nov. 29, agents began investigating a dead black bear that was found shot to death on the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area. A necropsy revealed that the 4 ½ year-old female bear was shot twice with a rifle within a few days of being found, the release states.

Agents began patrolling the area where the bear was killed, and found Kimble hunting there on Dec. 29 and again on Jan. 4. Agents approached him, and during questioning he admitted to killing the bear with a .270 rifle on Nov. 26, according to the release.

Agents also found that Kimble was a convicted felon and not allowed to possess a firearm, the release states. The rifle was seized, and Kimble was booked into the Concordia Parish Jail.

The state charge for illegally killing a Louisiana black bear brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Possessing a firearm by a convicted felon brings a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and 10 to 20 years in jail.

Kimble may also face up to $10,000 in civil restitution for the replacement value of the illegally taken bear, the release states.